In Pictures: Special visitor for one of Limerick's oldest school's bicentennial celebrations

THE BICENTENNIAL celebrations of one of Limerick’s oldest schools - Ahane NS - will be spoken of for many years to come.

Mayor of Limerick Ger Mitchell, Australian ambassador Gary Gray, teachers and staff, current and past pupils, and parents joined together for a week that will never be forgotten.Wonderful stories have been collated by parents of pupils, Laura Ryan and June Shannon.

They include Breda Ryan and Kitty Humphreys who have been lifelong friends since they met on their first day at Ahane NS in September 1949; Willie Collins whose family’s connection with the school stretches back over 100 years; and Mary Richardson, who had not been back to the school in 72 years.

It all began 200 years ago when Sir Richard Bourke founded the original Ahane School on his Thornfield estate. It is not the only thing he founded - the city of Melbourne, no less, and he was Governor of Australia.

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The bicentennial celebrations started on Monday, October 23 with Mayor of Limerick Gerald Mitchell planting an oak tree. A time capsule containing photographs, school news, list of 2023 average prices and letters from children about their lives and hobbies was also buried.

On Wednesday, the Ferrero Rocher were out for the school visit of Ambassador Gray to see an exhibition celebrating the life and legacy in Ireland and Australia of Sir Bourke. Mr Gray received a warm welcome and said it was great to be in Ahane school.

“Being curious is the most important educational skill for children to have,” said Mr Gray.

Ahane NS principal, Siobhán Kennedy said education has a proud history in Ahane from the beginning of the 19th century before the national school system in Ireland was introduced to the present day.

“While our current building was opened in 1933, we’re delighted to commemorate the bicentenary of the first Ahane NS on the Thornfield estate just across from St Patrick’s Church in Ahane.

"The children learnt about early school life in Ahane 200 years ago and it was an opportunity for them to get involved in the commemorations through the local history aspect of the school curriculum and the ‘decades day’ dress up celebrations.

"They were also busy preparing items for the time capsule to be opened in the future,” said Ms Kennedy, who thanked the Bourke exhibition curator Seamus Flynn, the Historic Houses of Ireland and Limerick Civic Trust for loaning them the Richard Bourke exhibition for their bicentennial event, to Earle Landscaping and Troy Chauffeurs for sponsoring a beautiful oak tree, other sponsors and parents for their support in organising and celebrating the week’s events.

See our gallery for more pictures from the celebrations.